As a man who was at least four stone overweight but without the necessary will power to `go it alone' as it were, Alli seemed like something worth trying.
Having read and listened to many of the reviews about Alli, all of which referenced the gory side effects, it was with trepidation that I decided to start a course of the drug.
Following all of the rules...
...I began cutting down on fatty foods about a week before taking Alli. Then, anxious about the possibility of over-staying my welcome in the bathroom, I decided to eat more healthily more of the time without being obsessive about it. Cereal for breakfast, one or two Special K chocolate chip bars throughout the day if I felt hungry (these taste fine but are not so delicious that you want to eat a whole pack) and salad of my own making at lunchtime - tuna, egg, cottage cheese, lettuce...that sort of thing.
For my evening meal, I sought out low-fat ready-meals. I'm not a ready-meal fan but in the short-term the Heinz Weight Watchers range has proven quite tasty (relatively speaking) and there's enough variety to keep me interested throughout the week. Importantly, they have allowed me greater control over my fat intake.
So far as alcohol is concerned, I like it, especially wine...so I still drink wine, mostly sensibly, sometimes not.
The final analysis...
No noticeable side-effects. Over the last month, I have lost an average of three pounds a week and people are starting to notice.
The threat of long spells in the bathroom is a great motivator not to maintain a diet of steaks and Big Macs although I have enjoyed a Chicken Sandwich and fries a couple of times in the last month...just because I felt like it.
Once the weight starts to drop off, the slight change of pace and life-style actually becomes fun and regular exercise - 35 minutes walk three or four times a week - can be very pleasant especially now that the weather has improved.
If you're looking to make a decision about Alli, my advice would be if it doesn't break the bank, if you're able to make a few simple and not so painful changes to your diet without obsessing about it and if you're prepared to honour the tablets usefulness by taking a little exercise, give it a go.